Nectarine tree named &#39;NJF20&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct nectarine variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘NJF20’ is provided. This variety is distinguished from other nectarine varieties by its unique combination of medium sized non-showy flowers, fruit that are flat in shape, and firm melting, yellow, clingstone flesh that has very good eating quality for an early season nectarine due to its very sweet, low acid flavor.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

NONE

Latin name of genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persica L.

Variety denomination: NJF20.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree named ‘NJF20’. The new tree resulted from crossing a proprietary nectarine seedling selection ‘L5-225-01250’ (non-patented) as the seed parent with a nectarine seedling selection ‘Y153-69’ (non-patented) as the pollen parent. The new variety differs from seed parent ‘L5-225-01250’ in that the new variety produces flat fruit with yellow flesh that are sweeter and ripen seven weeks earlier. In contrast, the seed parent ‘L5-225-01250’ produces round fruit with white flesh that tend to have a milder flavor. The new variety differs from pollen parent ‘Y153-69’ in that the new variety produces larger fruit that may be slightly more tolerant to bacterial leaf spot. The resulting tree was selected when growing in a cultivated area as the 23^(rd) tree in the 13^(th) row of Block H at a fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘NJF20’ variety is distinguished from other nectarine varieties due to the following unique combination of characteristics:

-   -   Produces early ripening, flat nectarines.     -   Fruit are medium-sized, glossy and well colored with a         red-purple blush and a ground color that is an attractive         yellow-orange.     -   Tree produces sweet, low acid, nectarine fruit of exceptional         quality for the season.     -   Flesh of the fruit is yellow with a firm, melting texture.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding onto ‘Tennessee Natural VF 281.8’ peach seedling rootstock (non-patented) shows that the foregoing characteristics are so reproduced.

The following detailed description concerns the original tree, ‘NJF20’. The original tree has been observed growing in a cultivated area at the fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. Asexual progeny have been observed growing in cultivated areas at fruit research evaluation plantings in Elmer, N.J. and Bridgeton, N.J. Certain characteristics of this variety, such as growth and color, may change with changing environmental conditions (such as, light, temperature, moisture, nutrient availability) or other factors. Color descriptions and other terminology are used in accordance with their ordinary dictionary descriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Color designations are made with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart (1966)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographic drawings, depicting the nectarine tree by the best possible color representation using color photography. Colors are approximate as color depends on horticultural practices, such as light level, fertilization rate, and other conditions and, therefore, the color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph taken on Sep. 9, 2016 of a characteristic twig of ‘NJF20’ in late summer bearing typical leaves of the foliage.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph taken on Jul. 12, 2016 of characteristic mature fruit and stones of ‘NJF20’. Whole fruit are presented in three positions and both a transverse and longitudinal cross section to illustrate that the pericarp does not fully adhere to the pit when the fruit is mature. The stones exemplify the flat shape and mixture of single pits and rosettes of pits on the surface of the stone.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph of a characteristic twig that illustrates the typical flower buds and medium sized, non-showy flowers of ‘NJF20’ and the cupped, medium-sized, obovate-shaped petals with little to no undulation.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph of a tree of ‘NJF20’, during the summer, that illustrates the spreading growth habit of a tree at a fruit research evaluation planting in Elmer, N.J. on Jul. 27, 2016.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph taken on Jan. 25, 2017 of immature bark of ‘NJF20’ observed on a tree that illustrates color and low density of conspicuous elliptical lenticels on the immature bark.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph taken on Jul. 27, 2016 of mature bark of ‘NJF20’ that illustrates the grey color, nearly smooth texture and prominent, large lenticels of the mature bark.

The colors of and illustration of this type may vary with lighting and other conditions under which conditions and, therefore, color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the ‘NJF20’ variety is based on observations of an asexually reproduced tree. The observed tree was three years of age and growing on ‘Tennessee Natural VF 281.8’ seedling rootstock (non-patented) at a fruit research evaluation planting in Elmer, N.J.

-   Scientific name: Prunus persica L. -   Parentage:     -   -   Seed parent.—‘L5-225-01250’.         -   Pollen parent.—‘Y153-69’. -   Tree:     -   -   Vigor.—Vigorous.         -   Plant hardiness zone.—Growth of plants has only been             observed in zone 6b.         -   Dormant flower bud cold tolerance.—At least to −17° C.         -   Overall shape.—Spreading.         -   Height.—Average as compared to other nectarine cultivars.             For example, measurement of a typical grafted tree on             ‘Tennessee Natural VF 281.8’ peach seedling rootstock             (non-patented) at three years after planting shows an             average height of 3.4 meters when grown in Elmer, N.J.         -   Width.—Average as compared to other nectarine cultivars. For             example, measurement of a typical grafted tree on ‘Tennessee             Natural VF 281.8’ peach seedling rootstock (non-patented) at             three years after planting shows an average width of 4.3             meters when grown in Elmer, N.J. Caliper: Three year old             tree is 34 cm. in circumference measured at 20 cm. from the             ground. -   Trunk and branches:     -   -   Trunk bark texture.—Nearly smooth with prominent, large             lenticels.         -   Trunk bark color.—Grey (between RHS 201C and RHS 201D).         -   Primary branches.—Branches that are approximately 15 cm. in             circumference are greyed-orange (RHS 177D) overlaid with             grey (RHS 201D). Lenticels: Low density, approximately 0.75             per square cm; elliptical in shape and conspicuous; typical             examples of which averaged 5.0 mm. in length and 2.1 mm. in             width; perimeter color is greyed-orange (RHS 164B) becoming             greyed-orange (RHS 173D) towards the center. Branch             pubescence: None. New growth bark: Generally greyed-purple             (RHS 183B) in sun, becoming greyed-purple (RHS 187A) on well             exposed shoot tips; greyed-purple (RHS 183B) over a             yellow-green (between RHS 152C and RHS 152D) ground color in             shade.         -   Internodes.—Length averaging 18.3 mm. on a one-year shoot. -   Leaves:     -   -   Texture.—Glabrous, both surfaces         -   Sheen.—Young leaves semi-glossy with a flat finish on the             underside.         -   Length.—About 164 mm. to 202 mm., averaging about 181 mm.             including the petiole.         -   Width.—About 29 mm. to 38 mm., averaging about 33.6 mm.         -   Petiole.—Averaging 10.6 mm. long and about 1.9 mm. in             diameter.         -   Margin.—Crenate.         -   Margin undulation.—Slight, occasionally may have broad             undulations.         -   Form.—Lanceolate, and concave in cross section.         -   Apex.—Sharply acuminate, typically sharply curved downward.         -   Base.—Acute.         -   Venation.—Pinnate.         -   Glands.—Number: About 3 to 6, averaging about 4.6. Position:             Located on the leaf base and occasionally on the petiole.             Size: Length averaging 1.2 mm. and width averaging 0.9 mm.             Form: Reniform.         -   Stipules.—None observed on mature leaves.         -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface: Yellow-green (RHS 147A).             Lower leaf surface: Yellow-green (RHS 147B). Vein:             Yellow-green (RHS 151D).         -   Pubescence.—None. -   Flowers:     -   -   Size.—Non-showy, medium size, typical flower measuring             between 23 mm. to 27 mm., averaging about 25 mm. across.         -   Color.—Dormant bud: Greyed-green (RHS 197C) becoming brown             (RHS 200D) at base. Pink stage bud: Red-purple (between RHS             63A and RHS 63B). Open flower: Freshly opened flowers are             red (between RHS 56B and RHS 56D) becoming red-purple             (between RHS 63C and RHS 63D) at the petal's margins.         -   Petals.—Typically five petals per flower; cupped, medium             sized, obovate, margin entire with little to no undulation,             averaging about 12.1 mm. long and 9.0 mm. wide.         -   Petal apex.—Obtuse.         -   Petal base.—Cuneate at point of attachment.         -   Stamens.—Number: Variable, typical range 39 and 45,             averaging 42.4. Length: Variable and generally shorter             towards the center, between 9 mm. to 13 mm, averaging about             11 mm. Filament color: White (RHS 155A), becoming red-purple             (RHS 63C) near petal fall. Anther color: Adaxial surface is             red (RHS 53B); abaxial surface is yellow-orange (RHS 23D).         -   Pistil.—Number: One. Size: Length between 12 and 14 mm.,             averaging about 13.1 mm. Pistil color: Yellow-green (between             RHS 145B and RHS 145C). Ovary: Small, medium length,             glabrous, and flat in shape, color yellow-green (RHS 145A             and RHS 145B).         -   Sepals.—Number: Five. Pubescence: Length long, high density.             Color: Generally yellow-green (between RHS 148C and RHS             148D), sometimes overlaid with greyed-red (RHS 182B) near             the base. Shape: Elliptic to ovate, with a flat base. Size:             Length averaging 5.1 mm., width averaging 3.8 mm.         -   Nectar cup color.—Orange (between and RHS 25A and RHS 25B).         -   Pollen.—Abundant; yellow-orange (between and RHS 16A and RHS             16B) in color.         -   Fragrance.—None to very slight.         -   Bloom season.—Onset of bloom in Bridgeton, N.J. was on Apr.             15, 2015, with full boom on Apr. 19, 2015. -   Fruit:     -   -   Size.—Medium for a flat nectarine, averaging about 3.5 cm.             long, 6.3 cm. wide parallel to the suture and 6.5 cm. wide             perpendicular to the suture.         -   Typical weight.—83 g.         -   Form.—Longitudinal section: Oblate. Traverse section:             Triangular and slightly lipped.         -   Suture.—Generally shallow, extending from base to apex.         -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth to slightly depressed.         -   Base.—Depressed.         -   Apex.—Depressed; between nearly 5.7 mm. to about 8.4 mm. in             diameter, with an average of 7.0 mm.         -   Stem.—Average length of 10.2 mm. and an average diameter of             7.8 mm.         -   Skin.—Thickness: Medium. Surface: Glabrous. Tenacity:             Medium. Astringency: None. Tendency to crack: Generally low,             but medium to high if lightly cropped. Color: Blush is             red-purple (between RHS 59A and RHS 59B); ground color is             yellow-orange (between RHS 14B and RHS 14C) when present.         -   Fruit properties.—Flesh color: Yellow (RHS 13C), becoming             yellow (RHS 13D) adjacent to stone. Flesh adhesion:             Generally clingstone, but may become semi-clingstone when             fully ripe. Juice: Very high when soft ripe. Texture:             Melting. Fibers: Not noticeable. Ripens: Between June 30 and             July 9 at Cream Ridge, N.J. Flavor: Sweet, low acidity.             Soluble solids: 16.0%. Aroma: Moderate. Eating quality: Good             to very good.         -   Keeping quality.—Medium. Has held its flavor and firmness             for at least 7 days in cold storage at 1° C. to 2° C.         -   Shipping quality.—Good. No bruising or scaring disorders             have been observed.         -   Usage.—Dessert.         -   Market.—Local and long distance.         -   Productivity.—Medium. Trees have produced a full crop in 2             out of 5 and at least a partial crop 3 out of 5 years in             Cream Ridge, N.J. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone.         -   Form.—Flat.         -   Base.—Very wide.         -   Apex.—Very wide.         -   Surface.—Mixture of single pits and rosettes of pits.         -   Ventral suture.—Low and may be deeply grooved on both sides             from base to apex.         -   Dorsal ridge.—Low to medium height, narrow width.         -   External color.—Orange-white (between RHS 159A and RHS             159B).         -   Cavity surface color.—Orange-white (RHS 159B).         -   Average stone dry weight.—2.2 g.         -   Average stone wall thickness.—Varies between 7.2 mm. along             the dorsal ridge to 2.3 mm. at the base.         -   Size.—Averages about 13.9 mm. long, 20.9 mm. wide parallel             to the dorsal ridge, and 18.8 mm. wide perpendicular to the             dorsal ridge.         -   Tendency to split.—Typically low when well cropped.         -   Kernel.—Form: Irregular. Skin color: Greyed-orange (between             RHS 164B and RHS 165C). Vein color: Greyed-orange (between             RHS 164B and RHS 165C). Viability: No. Size: Highly             variable, forms only rudimentary seeds. -   Plant/fruit disease and pest resistance/susceptibility: -   No atypical resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under     normal cultural practices. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially as herein shown and described. 